On 1 April 2025, the European Parliament adopted the ‘stop the clock’ urgency procedure on the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D) and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), following a request initiated under Rule 170(6) of the Rules of Procedure. The urgency measure was supported by a coalition stretching from the European People’s Party (EPP) to Renew and the European Sovereignists (ESN), despite strong opposition from The Left, the Socialists & Democrats (S&D), and the Greens/EFA.

The ETUC strongly opposed this move, denouncing it as a blatant misuse of a legislative tool designed for true emergencies. In this case, no urgency existed – only a political strategy to delay and weaken legislation crucial to holding companies accountable for their social and environmental impacts.

Isabelle Schömann, ETUC Deputy General Secretary, stated:

“Let’s be clear: the EPP and Renew have chosen the side of corporate impunity over human dignity. By aligning with the far-right, they have betrayed the workers and citizens of Europe.”

Despite an agreement among EPP, Renew, S&D and the Greens ahead of the final vote on 3 April to work constructively together going forward – particularly concerning the omnibus – the adoption of the stop-the-clock initiative marks a serious setback. It signals a dangerous U-turn away from Europe’s commitment to corporate responsibility and social rights.

“What we are witnessing is not a pause, but a real U-turn – a pivot towards dismantling the European social model. This is not simplification – it is deregulation driven by corporate interests,” added Schömann.

The ETUC welcomes the continued resistance from progressive groups in the Parliament and calls on all pro-European forces to remain vigilant. The adoption of this urgency procedure must not become a precedent for sidelining democratic scrutiny and undermining worker protections.

The JURI Committee is now scheduled to present a first draft report in June, with adoption expected by mid-October. The ETUC will closely monitor this process to ensure that the fundamental objectives of the CS3D and CSRD are not lost.

We will not let European values be traded away for corporate convenience. Workers will not be silenced.